DOJ Backs California Disability Lawsuit Against Uber

The U.S government has told a California court that it has serious concerns about a civil rights issue raised against Uber Technologies Inc., alleging discrimination against blind passengers.

The U.S Justice Department said Tuesday that the TNC company’s attempt to dismiss the case may be based on a “misunderstanding” about the Americans With Disabilities Act. The department has asked a federal judge in San Francisco to consider its view before deciding whether to throw the case out.

In the statement, the U.S. Justice Department says “The United States’ interests are particularly strong here,” because the case against the on-demand car service “goes to the very heart” of the ADA’s goal “to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency” for people with handicaps.

Uber’s request for dismal is “ambiguous” says the filing, because the company appears to argue that its service isn’t a “public accommodation.” But the U.S. Justice Department points out that issue is not something that needs to be considered when determining if Uber violated the ADA or not. According to the document from the department, there are provisions under the Department of Transportation that cover taxi and other demand responsive transportation services under Title III of the American With Disabilities Act.

More on thestory at www.bloomberg.com.

Link to the Statement of Interest of the United States of America regarding the National Federation of the Blind of California v. Uber Technologies Inc., 14-cv-04086, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).